Coast Guardsman sentenced to 24 months confinement for sexual assault

MIAMI — A Coast Guardsman on trial for sexual assault was sentenced by a military judge to 24 months confinement, a dishonorable discharge and reduction in pay-grade to E-1 after pleading guilty at a general court-martial, Tuesday.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Tyler A. Banks, 30, pled guilty to one specification of sexual assault in violation of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice Article 120 as part of a pretrial agreement.

Banks was assigned to Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, Florida, at the time the offense occurred.

Rear Adm. Thomas Jones, Director of Operational Logistics headquartered in Norfolk, Va. is the convening authority for the court martial.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a complete set of criminal laws that covers most crimes contained in civilian law in addition to other military-specific offenses such as failure to obey an order, desertion, etc. Additional information about the UCMJ and the military justice system can be found at: http://ift.tt/NdwvIt